God's Got Your Back

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. (NIV)

Isaiah 30:18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you: He rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him! (NIV)

How easy it is to agree with the words of these verses when we read them or hear them spoken. When life is going well and days seem smooth, these words seem to confirm all we feel. It is true that these verses provide an explanation of one facet of our relationship with Christ. Consider, though, how powerful they can be when we are in a place of needing encouragement or guidance due to challenge. Could it also be a tool or weapon at our disposal when the active participation of "walking with Christ daily" becomes a struggle? When doubts threaten to change our perspective, which could lead to stumbling in our choices and behaviors?

There are those times in our life that become particularly challenging. When these seasons are prolonged, we can become discouraged, doubtful, and question many facets of our relationship with God. At a time like this we have the tendency to question ourselves and what we might have done wrong, or possibly that we missed something God said. These ever-increasing thoughts begin to plant doubt in our minds. As the doubts increase, we second guess ourselves and our choices. This cycle is gradual. It feels like we are under attack from the enemy, and we become weary when this struggle continues. The weariness possibly allows room for poor choices, believing the wrong things, ultimately believing the deceiver. Then we can become so distracted by the circumstance or situation that we are walking into, that we don't remember what/Who we are walking with!

As children of God, we are walking with His Spirit! What God begins, He also backs. He does not leave us stranded, helpless and alone. The verses we began with are simply two of many that we can claim and live by. Especially in those uncertain, doubtful seasons. It is up to us to believe and apply what He promises rather than what the situation we are in "feels" like. While it may feel like an exceptionally long time of waiting and battle on this side of Heaven, He promises that those of us who wait for Him are blessed! How incredible it is to realize that He promises He will rise (from His throne) to show us compassion! What a mind-boggling thought! May we truly grasp hold of such a profound promise!!

We can truly trust that He has purpose in all He does and even all He allows to come into our lives. He is a loving Father.

Isaiah 30:19-22

O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious He will be when you cry for help! As soon as He hears, He will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Then you will defile your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, "away with you!" (NIV)

Remember that what God begins, He backs. In other words, He will continue working on you, refining you, molding you more into His own image and likeness. He is a good, good Father. What a relief when He answers. And what a sense of security is created deep within the heart, and dare I say the soul, when indeed we are on the other side of the affliction. When we have seen Him bring new insight and knowledge of His grace and compassion for us in such a personal way. As difficult and challenging as it is to wait for Him, it is well worth it.

Please do not misunderstand or feel that I am minimizing these painful times in your relationship with God. In my personal life, seasons like this have been so excruciating I thought I would not continue to breathe from one moment to the next. I begged for Him to be gracious and show me compassion. I was fearful that I would not bear up under the pressure and would let Him down. Truthfully, I usually did. Yet, I can honestly say, after each experience of these hard lessons, I would not trade it because of the deeper place it took our relationship. There is such intense gratitude for the deeper trust in Him. For a more intimate idea of His great love for me. For the knowledge built by experience that God indeed "has your back"!

May each of us embrace His teachings willingly and openly. May we see Him rise to show us compassion.

Be Inspired. Be Inspiring.